(A) The Fire Chief or his designee, is authorized, in consultation with the Planning Department, to designate and establish lanes for emergency vehicles ("emergency lanes") pursuant to Indiana statutes and regulations.
(B) All emergency lanes shall be properly and conspicuously marked as required by Indiana statutes and regulations. This is the responsibility of the property owner. All markings shall remain in good visible condition as determined by the Fire Chief, or his designee.
(C) Designation of emergency lanes shall be made a requirement of any existing or planned development in the town.
(D) The parking, stopping, or standing of any object or personal property, including motor vehicles, or any other obstruction in established emergency lanes on private or public property, is prohibited.
(E) Any vehicle or personal property found to be obstructing an emergency vehicle lane shall, with the consent of the owner, lessee, or other person in possession or control of the real estate where the emergency vehicle lane has been established, be towed away or removed at the request of the Fire Chief, his designee, a law enforcement officer, a civilian safety officer of the Police Department, or the Building Commissioner. The owner of the towed or removed property shall be responsible for all towing charges and resulting storage charges incurred during the process of removing the obstruction.
(F) In non-emergency situations, the Fire Chief or his designee shall obtain from each property owner, lessee, or person in possession of property covered by this section, a contract conforming to Indiana Code granting permission and their consent to the towing away or removal of any obstruction or personal property which is obstructing emergency vehicle lanes. The original affidavit from each property owner shall be filed in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office with copies on file in the offices of the Fire Chief and the Police Chief.
(G) In emergency situations, the Police Chief or his designee or the Fire Chief or his designee can order the towing away or removal of any obstruction or personal property which is obstructing emergency vehicle lanes without permission from the property owner or lessee.
(H) The driver or owner of the vehicle violating this section shall be given a citation for violation of this section. If any vehicle is parked unlawfully in violation of any of the provisions of this section, and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name the vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for the violation.
(I) No vehicle towed for violation of this section shall be released to the vehicle's owner until all towing charges and storage charges have been paid.
(Ord. 2018-G-10, passed 7-17-18) Penalty, see § 71.99